Hi Kate,   yes I have the swelling in my leg (lymphoedema, I have had high grade spinal cell sarcome last year and had the massive surgery to get it removed and my leg reconstructed.  With this they found that the lymph nodes were compromised in radiation (28 rounds) and the surgery.  My leg is always larger than the other and the knee is always swollen and sore.  I have to wear a compression stocking from my toes right to my groin with the garment fitting around my waist.  It is difficult getting on and off and using rubber gloves does help.  I do the drainage therapy but honestly at a cost of $95 each time I find that I don't go probably as often as I should.  I keep getting told by my surgeon that in time they hope that the swelling will go but it is horrid especially during the warmer weather to wear the stocking.  I recently went overseas and I did wear the stocking during the flight and  moved around the plane but wearing it in the heat was not enjoyable, I am just praying for the day when it goes back to some what of a normal size and I no longer have to use the compression stocking.   cheers to everyone who reads this and i can empathise with anyone who is having similar problems.   Belle41 ... View more

Belle41 You sure had a shocker of a year being diagnosed with cancer ,surgery and radiation later is in itself very traumatic and now having the Ct checks regularly,means you can be living with the thoughts of what if it returns which can be very unsettling,I found when I was in that situation to take it one day at a time Sometimes professional help can be of benefit to someone with these thoughts have you had a chat to your GP I did,I think it wouldn’t be normal not to have these doubts I can’t imagine finding a parent of mine deceased a very traumatic event and losing your dog after so many years,they become members of our family,no one can say it’s time to get over it we all grieve differently,and for lengths of time,all this happening after what you have been through would be extremely difficult. If you do seek professional advice maybe ask your husband to accompany you ,he may gain a better insight,you may not think so but hopefully things and your thoughts will improve,You have been through so much and are still functioning,don’t be hard on yourself it takes time as much as you need. kj ... View more